Mia giggled happily, riding on the brown pony in front of them as they made their way down the trail around the town. They followed a path that skirted the edges of the forest, and Willow couldn't help but sneak peeks into the woods, her hands trembling with excitement at the thought of exploring the hidden trails just out of sight.
After returning home the previous day, they had stayed in their rooms as a precaution, but Jack had picked up Willow this morning to watch Mia while Caroline went to the grocery store. Mia had expressed her desire to go riding, and since Willow was still eager to explore the area, they decided to visit the stables and choose a pony named Cookie for Mia's ride.
"You know," Jack remarked, watching Cookie trotting in front of them with a watchful eye, "we could have found a horse for you too,"
Willow chuckled, her eyes scanning the surroundings as she soaked in the fresh forest-scented air.
"No thank you, I never been on a horse, and I'm not going to take any chances of injuries due to falling off now we finally got a clean bill"
Jack looked at her for a second.
"I would never have let you fall off, you know," he mumbled, nodding at a group of men walking past them towards the fields. Willow turned her gaze toward him, causing him to clear his throat and scratch his neck awkwardly. "I don't need my pet to be sick again, it's too much of an annoyance to take care of you."
She rolled her eyes, slightly glad for the snarkiness because it meant he was back to normal.
"Yeah yeah," Willow replied, her gaze shifting to her right, where the forest began. She wondered how many other trails existed on the island. "Do you think we can another day explore more of the forest itself?" She asked curiously, quickening her pace alongside Jack to keep up with Mia and Cookie.
"Sure, we can find a day," he shrugged, looking into the forest with narrowed eyes. "But it is best to keep to the tracks when you don't know the island, too far in and you can end up walking in on the territory of the pack."
"The pack?" Willow raised an intrigued eyebrow, leaning in slightly, encouraging him to continue.
"Yeah," Jack began to explain, his tone becoming more serious. "there is a pack of wolves on the island, they keep to themselves as they know not to mess with the people on the island, but that doesn't mean they're not territorial- Mia not too far ahead!" He called out to Mia, prompting her to slow down and wait for them to catch up. "A reaper named Vincent began taking wolves from werewolf packs that were slaughtered back to the island before my time, as many of them were too tame to live normally without the werewolves. They would have begun seeking out people if left, and I guess he didn't like that idea. They're pretty good at holding the population of wild animals down and they're not a danger to the BustyrÃas so Darlia allows it."
Willow had yet to really read up on many other supernatural species but noted to herself she had to go to the library and find the chronicle about werewolves when they got back. But that explain why she had heard howls when she had tried to leave the island.
Her stomach growled loudly, and they both glanced at it with amusement before chuckling.
"I guess it was stupid to leave before eating breakfast." Willow mumbled, rubbing her stomach.
"Want me to take you back to the mansion? You didn't eat dinner yesterday either before we left." He furrowed his brow as he reached out his hand and she shook her head.
"Nah, I will walk, I need the fresh air and you have to look after Mia," She nodded toward the pony. Then, raising her voice, she called out to Mia. "Bye Mia! See you next week."
"Bye!" Mia giggled as Willow waved at the girl before veering off the trail onto another that led back to town.
"Behave!" Jack yelled after her, and Willow waved over her shoulder, rolling her eyes as she strolled toward town, enjoying the peaceful solitude of the forest surrounding her.
Willow walked out onto a field, and in the shadow of a tree, someone caught her attention. Soft notes from a guitar filled the air. The guy, in his late teens with tattoo sleeves in black and white, lifted his head, and his dark eyes widened upon seeing Willow standing there.
"Hi Vadim," she waved, starting to walk toward him. He quickly got up, his face turning beet red. "I didn't know you could play."
"It's none of your business," he hissed, swiftly stowing the little black book he had been scribbling in into his dark jeans pocket. "What are you doing out here anyway, aren't you supposed to be sick?" He grunted, putting the guitar on his back before stuffing his hands into his slim jeans pocket with a raised pierced brow.
"We got back last night, and all better, thank you for caring." She walked up beside him as they walked towards town.
"Who said I cared?" He mumbled, his shoulders tensing as he made some distance between them. "It's just the others kept talking about how you had gotten sick in Enzaya. "
Her eyes briefly flickered to Valentina's mark dangling from his right ear before she turned her gaze toward the town sprawled before them.
"I guess that can be a price when you work with a reaper," she shrugged, knowing Jack didn't feel the harshness the weather could bring.
"Do you regret it?"
"Regret what?" She knew what he asked, but wished she didn't.
"You know what I mean, do you regret becoming a companion." He snorted, clutching the guitar strap.
"Yes and no, I regret not saying goodbye and not being able to tell them I love them one last time." She smiled weakly, holding back tears as her bottom lip quivered. She thought of the pain her family must be going through, believing she was dead. "But I don't regret saving my brother."
He nodded slightly with a wondering look as they made their way down the bustling road to the mansion. Folk waved or nodded as they passed them before going back to their business. Children darted around them with curious eyes, giggling happily before scampered off again. The town buzzed with life, as she looked around, absorbing everything. Outside a bakery nestled between a butcher and a clothing store, she came to a halt, drawn in by the enticing scent of fresh pastries. Through the bakery's large window, she spotted a young man with blonde hair serving a customer.
Vadim walked past her and gestured for her to follow as he opened the door. The little bell above the door tinkled, and the young man behind the counter flashed them a warm smile.
"Vadim, the usual?" He didn't even wait for an answer, immediately packing cinnamon rolls into a box. He slid the box toward Vadim before turning his attention to Willow. "And you must be Willow, Jack's companion I'm Dominic. Can I get you anything?"
"Thank you, but I don't have any money with me," she replied, looking longingly at the array of beautiful pastries.
"Oh right, the outsiders use money. We don't use it on the island," Dominic chuckled, pulling a box towards him. "That way everyone can get what they need, so what can I give you? Scones? Muffins? Cinnamon rolls?"
She was taken aback by the generosity of the island's system but appreciated it nonetheless.
"She will take a cinnamon roll." Vadim grunted, taking his box. Dominic quickly packed two cinnamon rolls and handed her the box.
"Welcome to the island Willow, if you ever get hungry for pastries or want anything special sent to the mansion, just let me know. Me or my husband is always glad to help the reapers or their companions"
"Th-thank you," Willow beamed, grateful for the warm welcome. She quickly followed Vadim, who was already heading out. She clutched the box of cinnamon rolls tightly. "What are you going to do today?" She asked curiously, as it was rare she saw the boys going about their day.
"Charlie should be home by now so I'm going to play some games with him and Itsuki, why I picked these up" he waved the box around with a slight shrug.
Willow nodded, her attention momentarily drawn to a large building as the clock tower rang loudly. Children of all ages rushed toward the aged two-floor red structure, and Willow guessed it was the school.
"Willow," she turned around, seeing Jack stand there with a broad smile, his eyes glistening as he said. "Dauði is sending us on a little bit of a different mission than usual, I want you with me."
"Sure," she mumbled, before turning to Vadim, handing him the box of pastries. "You can have these." She gave him a quick smile before taking Jack's outstretched hand.
In an instant, they were transported to a dense forest. The only sound that reached their ears was a faint, almost haunting, cry that resembled that of a baby. Jack led the way, pushing aside branches and undergrowth, following the sound of the cries with Willow nervously behind. They came to a sudden halt in front of a withered tree.
"Oh no," Willow whispered as she saw what they had come for. Nestled within an old blanket, a helpless baby lay in the underbrush. Its cries gradually faded as its innocent dark eyes locked onto the newcomers. Willow scanned the surroundings but found no sign of anyone nearby. She couldn't believe that someone could just abandoned a baby in the forest like this. "You can't be serious?" She looked over at Jack, feeling a sting in her heart as she pulled her hand away from his.
Her eyes pleading as she instinctively moved to shield the baby with her outstretched arms.
Jack tilted his head, his expression pained, yet resolute. Gently, he pushed her aside.
"Death is a painful truth everyone eventually must face, some way quicker than others," Jack whispered, his voice filled with a profound solemnity as he gently lifted the helpless baby into his arms. " but not you little one, not today." He smiled tenderly as the infant's tiny fingers curled around his own. A warm feeling blossomed in Willow's chest as she watched how gently Jack held the baby. Jack began to coo softly, rocking the baby protectively in his arms. He glanced at Willow and extended his hand toward her.
"Jack-"
"Willow take my hand," Jack urged, his tone gentle but firm. Sighing heavily, she reluctantly complied. She blinked rapidly as they suddenly stood before a two-story red brick house with a neatly trimmed garden and flower pots in the windows. Bewildered, Willow turned to Jack, who gestured for her to follow him. With the baby cradled in one arm, Jack knocked on the blue door. A few moments later, a woman in her mid-thirties opened it. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of the infant. Overwhelmed with emotion, she brought her hands to her mouth, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Really?" she choked out, her voice trembling. She reached out with trembling fingers to take the baby. "Death had really heard our prayers?"
"Indeed he has," Jack handed the dark haired woman the baby. "Remember to take her to the doctor to get checked, she's only a few hours old." The woman seemed too lost in the moment to hear his words, cradling the baby with tears streaming down her face.
"Thank Dauði, our dark lord and protector." she whispered, her voice filled with reverence.
"What will you name her?" Jack smiled softly.
"Beatrix," the woman replied, her gaze filled with wonder as she held the baby close to her chest. "Thank you," she said, repeating the phrase over and over as if unable to believe it.
Jack nodded before waving for Willow to follow him as he turned away. She hurried to his side as they walked back toward the mansion.
"I didn't know the reapers did this too." She mumbled amazed.
"It's a rarity," Jack explained, a subtle smile gracing his lips. "Death is the one who chooses when it happens and who will be chosen, he knew Julia and Aston needed it after losing their daughter, who was stillborn three years ago, after they had tried for a few years. He couldn't give her, her child back so he did the next best thing."
Willow looked up at him with surprise, not expecting Death himself decided to give this couple a second chance. How surprising, that a species so involved with death also brings life.
Apparently even Death can have soft spots she thought, chuckling for herself.
"You truly are an amazing species," she mumbled to herself, not seeing Jack eyeing her out of the corner of his eye.